Abstract
Taiwan must currently contend with many pressing security and military challenges. Although the recent cross-Strait political climate has improved, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has steadfastly refused to renounce the use of force against Taiwan while shifting the cross-Strait military balance in its favor. Faced with such challenges, the Taiwan Quadrennial Defense Review is meant to increase military transparency while convincing Taiwanese legislators, the Chinese PLA, and U.S. policy makers and analysts alike that the Ministry of National Defense is firmly dedicated to creating new strategies and engaging in reforms that will prepare the military for future challenges. The major themes of the Quadrennial Defense Review are prevention and transformation. It is a defense-oriented strategy that aims to shape the regional security environment and deter conflict while overhauling the military into a leaner, more efficient fighting force with sustainable capabilities.
By including the viewpoints of a diverse group of policy experts, this paper provides a nuanced and holistic account of the complexities faced by Taiwanese defense planners and government officials. It argues that despite any deficiencies, the publication of the QDR represented a positive first step toward creating a road map for future national defense planning. It also signifies a fresh opportunity for facilitating constructive dialogue between defense officials in the Ma Ying-jeou and Barack Obama administrations. In the end, fostering an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect, and demonstrating a commitment to solving common security challenges will enhance regional ties and protect the interests of all parties.
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